Hundreds of Qantas engineers critical to aircraft maintenance are walking off the job this morning in a 24-hour strike that could spark flight delays or cancellations.
Engine components maintenance engineers at Melbourne‘s Tullamarine Airport will down their tools from 9am, while in Brisbane heavy maintenance engineers are striking from 1.30am AEST.

The snap strike comes after weeks of industrial action by the Qantas Engineers’ Alliance, – comprising the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union, the Electrical Trades Union and Australian Workers Union – over a pay dispute.

Hundreds of Qantas engineers across Australia will walk off the job tomorrow as a part of major strike action. The Qantas Engineers' Alliance is calling for five per cent per year and a 15 per cent first year payment to cover three-and-a-half years of wage freezes.
Hundreds of Qantas engineers in Melbourne and Brisbane will walk off the job in the latest strike over a months-long pay dispute. (Steven Siewert)

The Alliance is asking for a five per cent pay rise per year, starting with a 15 per cent pay rise this year to compensate to 3.5 years of wage freezes.

”When times were tough, our members accepted years of wage freezes,” AWU National Secretary Paul Farrow said.

“Now that the profits are flowing, it’s time for Qantas to come to the table with a decent offer.”

A large rally is planned at both Melbourne and Brisbane airports at 9 am.

The pay negotiations began in April, and the engineers’ current enterprise agreement expired at the end of June.

“Every time there is a problem at Qantas, the executives ignore it and just hope that it will go away,” AMWU National Secretary Steve Murphy said.

“If Qantas wants to show the general public that things are going to change, then valuing the workers that deliver their safety record should be number one priority.”

9News.com.au has contacted Qantas for comment.

You May Also Like

How Constantine rescued an old Aussie airline brand 24 years after its collapse

Ansett Airlines was once the king of Australian skies but its sudden…

Woman 'sandwiched between two trucks' after horror Sydney motorway crash

There has been a miracle on a major Sydneymotorway with a woman…

Australia will recognize a Palestinian state, Prime Minister Albanese says

Australia will recognize a Palestinian state, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Monday, joining…

Belmont Club: Our Guardian Angels

The rise of courtroom media has provided the public with hundreds…